Analysis of the Factors Affecting Stigmatization and Attitudes Toward Depression in Young and Elderly Patients

Abstract

Objectives

Depression is a frequently seen but under-recognized and under-treated syndrome in community. Stigmatization is an important barrier for care-seeking and treatment.

Aims

In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship of sociodemographic factors and attitudes towards depression between young and old age groups in a clinical population.

Method

A total of 133 patients (18–88 years old, n = 37 old-age group, n = 96 young-age group) with a diagnosis of depression were recruited in this study. All the patients were evaluated with a semi-structured clinical interview and using stigmatization scales.

Results

As young and old age groups compared, RHIDO total scores, RHIDO alienation sub-scale scores, social withdrawal subscale scores, and resistance to stigmatization subscale scores were found to be higher in young-age group than old-age group. Except working status, other sociodemographic factors were not found to have any effect on the scores of stigmatization scales.

Regarding the clinical features; number of episodes, comorbid physical disorders and time since first admission had an effect on RHIDO total and subscale scores. Negative attitudes towards depression were seen to be common in all the subjects, but no statistically significant difference was found between young and old age groups.

Conclusion

Stigmatization is very common also for depression, and it is found to be related to different features including age, working status, and time since first admission. In order to help for decreasing the negative attitudes and increasing the help seeking behavior, some interventions should be conducted both in psychiatry clinics and society.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.